Ebola virus disease

Statement from the Emergency Committee on Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo

17 October 2018 - The meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) regarding the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo took place on 17 October 2018.

It was the view of the Committee that a Public Health Emergency of International Concern should not be declared at this time. But the Committee remains deeply concerned by the outbreak and emphasized that response activities need to be intensified and ongoing vigilance is critical.

WHO/C.Black

Risk communication and community engagement preparedness and readiness framework: Ebola response in North Kivu

12 October 2018 - Risk communication and community engagement is an essential part of any disease outbreak response. Risk communication in the context of an Ebola outbreak refers to real time exchange of information, opinion and advice between frontline responders and people who are faced with the threat of Ebola to their survival, health, economic or social wellbeing.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

UN Security Council meeting on the Ebola Outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

3 October 2018 - WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, gave a brief to the UN Security Council regarding the current Ebola situation in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the many challenges the response is facing. WHO has more than 200 staff on the ground and so far more than 13 700 people have been vaccinated using a ring vaccination strategy. Because of the security situation in the area and community mistrust, the spread of Ebola is moving into red zones and areas bordering Uganda.

WHO

WHO calls for protection of humanitarian workers and civilians in Democratic Republic of the Congo

26 September 2018 - The response to the outbreak of Ebola in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at a critical juncture, threatened by worsening insecurity, mistrust from affected communities, and extension into previously unaffected areas.

WHO/E Kabambi
A member of the Ebola ring vaccination team speaks to a group of people in Bosolo village, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 2018.

Press briefing on Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo

25 September 2018 - A "perfect storm" of active conflict and traumatized communities in Ebola-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could enable the deadly disease to spread, but there are “no plans” to pull UN workers out of the country despite concerns for their security.

Speaker: Dr Peter Salama, WHO Deputy Director-General, Emergency Preparedness and Response

WHO/L. Mackenzie
WHO officials and first responders to the Ebola outbreak on motorbikes to get to remote villages, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018.

Progress and challenges of the Ebola outbreak in DRC

20 September 2018 - The Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains active. While substantial progress has been made to limit the spread of the disease to new areas and the situation in Mangina (Mabalako Health Zone) is stabilizing, the cities of Beni and Butembo have become the new hotspot. Response teams continue to enhance activities to mitigate potential clusters in these cities and prevent spread to other areas.

WHO

WHO Director-General updates on Ebola outbreak in DRC

14 August 2018 - WHO's global and African Regional leadership saw first-hand the complexities of implementing the Ebola response in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in visits with the MInistry of Health officials to affected areas. Following his return to Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros briefed journalists in on the situation.

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Current situation: DRC 2018

Situation reports

Disease outbreak news

Technical guidance

Ebola guidance by topic

Training and learning

News and updates

This section contains all news and press releases on the currently ongoing outbreaks, past outbreaks as well as general updates on Ebola virus disease and WHO's action.

Preparedness and R&D;

Preparedness for emergencies

WHO is working with countries in implementing plans to prevent and respond to a possible epidemic of Ebola virus disease.

R&D; Blueprint

Clinical trials are bringing the world close to having its first safe and effective Ebola vaccine; researchers are learning more about the effects of Ebola on survivors.

Past outbreaks

Ebola outbreak 2017

Information resources, documents and updates published during the 2017 Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ebola outbreak 2014-2015

Information resources, documents and updates published during the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

Partners and networks

WHO coordinates the international health response to emergencies and humanitarian crises, but we cannot do this work without our partners who help us deliver health services in even the most difficult situations.

Related areas of work